I really enjoyed france and all it has to offer. If you get a chance, go visit.

I have been to nice before but it is a place that you want to return to many times!

Arles of course was very interesting because of its significance in van gogh's life. We saw where he stayed, his favorite cafe, and the hospital where he was treated for depression. But arles also has a roman colleseum! Much of it still standing.

I learned to enjoy sitting and relaxing outside with my hot chocolate. When in france.....

One of my favorite cities was Avignon. I like the smaller but vibrant cities. It is an old walled city and the walls still exist. It also is home of the popes palace where they popes lived while italy was having a civil war. City was built in the 12 to 14 Century.

In viviers like most of the french cities we visited an OLD church. They had beautiful ceilings, wood doors, alters, and stained glass windows. Eventually they all ran together in my mind.

On the river we navigated 14 locks and past many picturesque villages. One day while on board we had a silk painting demonstration and learned to make crepes. I got to try my hand at crepe making and it stayed in the pan I am happy to report when I flipped it. I also painted on silk. The paint is very liquid.

Lyon was a highlight last sunday. We walked the market and then crossed t5he bridge and walked thru an arts and craft market. It would I beleive mostly be categorized as ART!

we visited the town of Oingt known for its yellow sandstone houses. We also visited a Burgundy area vineyard run by a husband and wife. I can attest to the delicious taste of their homemade grape juice. Jim opted for the wine

We boarded our boat in Macon. It sleeps 46. Rooms were large. Crew was great! We first sailed on the Sohne river and then into the Rhone for the remainder of the trip. The water was full of swans! for our magical trip through france.

One of the things that jim really appreciates about france is their emphasis and appreciation of art in all its forms, even today. It can be seen everywhere. Even the poor town or arles has reproductions all around town. Everywhere streets are named for painters and authors. Every town is full of museums.

After a wonderful week in Paris, we transferred to our boat for the next leg of the trip. On the way we stopped in the quaint (although I think almost every town in france could be classified quaint) town of Boeune. Beautiful town squares, flowers every where even though it is nov. The town is called a medevil jewel in travel books. While here we visited a mueum in what was a "hospital for the poor" built in the 1400s.

well I am sorry for the absence. The internet was either nonexistent or not able to handle a blog for the rest of the trip. We are now in nyc on our way home. I wanted to first clarify something I said in earlier post. France is also very grateful to the us for helping drive russia out of france during the first world war.

Paris is an incredible place and something to see. The only negative is the cost of things. After a few nights of $60 plus dinners, we have taiken to cheese and crackers in the room. Last night we had salad too, tonght a nice chocolate desert. To give you an example--typically coffee and a hot chocolate cost $3.50 - $6 each.

Also while we were here the prime minister signed into law raising the retirement age from 60 to 62. They are not happy but say it can be changed again.

This is the famous hall of mirrors. It is where the treaty of versailles was signed after wwII. Today is armistad day and it is a holiday here. The french are still very grateful to the us for ending the german occupancy. There were parades and festivities.

This is an example of the inside of versailles. There is a wing for the king and a wing for the queen. She had the bigger bed because he would visit her.

This is an example of the type of buildings that are plentiful here in Paris.

BONJOUR! Jim is doing real good withhis french communication. I have not yet mastered merci. Tomorrow we leave paris for a ride thru french burgundy country to our boat. We have done very well using public transportation. Today we visited the Louve--in 5 hours we did not complete one floor. It is the largest museum in the world. the building was the palace before versailles so goes back to the 1400s.

Inside the palace of versailles there are these modern works of arts throughout. French people do not like.

We went to versilles this afternoon and it was of course incredible and reminded us of schoenberg palace in vienna.

There are 12 million people in greater paris. 4 million a day ride public transportation. Traffic is amazing. There are scooters, bicicyles, cars and busses! It is quite a sight. Today we did a city tour and really enjoyed!

This is at the peace monument. It says peace in 32 different languages. Notice the eifel tower in the background!

This is on the funicular ride up to montmarche.

I am having trouble uploading pictures but we continue to have a great time. We went to the D'orsey museum today. We used public tramsportation and did not get lost. Tommorow we are going to versailles. Even the kids talk with their hands! And life moves much slower. They don't drive thru for their latte's, they stop at a cafe before work and after and have a relaxed drink. Miss you all and think about you every day! Wish you could all be here!!!

Paris is an old city. Most buildings have balconys. There are a lot of arches, bakeries, cafe's and of course museums. At the Louve yesterday there is a huge, mile long garden with mazes and sculptures. It is expensive to eat or drink but the sites are incredible!! Although it is 40 - 50 degrees people still use the outside cafe's. Today we had hot chocolate at one in Montmarche. I really liked this area. The streets are filled with artists even in the rain. It has a small town feel. Streets are coblestone and Picasso, van gogh and others painted here. It is a hill overlooking paris.

We spent over a day getting here ! Flights were good. We did not sleep, so last night I went to bed at 8 pm and slept till 8 am.I got to watch a movie I had really wanted to see -- Karati kid. I liked it and I really enjoyed the china scenery in it. I still pinch myself that I was there and now here I am in Paris France!!!

It is an incredible city. People are very avant garde. We had an incredible traditional french dinner last night, complete with sauces. We had a drink at an outside cafe.